By HOMELAND MEDIA TEAM
The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to extend piped, safe, clean water to more households and people across the country.
Museveni, while at Kololo Ceremonial Ground Friday 2nd December 2022, officiated at the celebration to mark 50 years of service by the Corporation, and virtually launched 50 service NWSC delivery projects across the country
He thanked the Board Chairperson Eng Dr. Badru Kiggundu and Management led by Eng Dr. Silver Mugisha for developing the capacity of the Corporation, and showing that government companies can make money.
The President congratulated National Water and Sewerage Corporation upon marking 50 years of service and for partially developing its capacity, saying economies of Africa like Uganda are characterized as underdeveloped, meaning they have got a lot of potential which it has not developed which the water body has started doing.
The Corporation is on top of fulfilling its core functions of providing safe and clean water to the people and deal with sewerage, they have been able to make a total of 109 billion shillings as profits annually.
“Thank you for proving that Government companies can make money,” Museveni said.
He added that one of the reasons for privatization was that the government had given up on its own companies because of their inefficiencies at that time.
“We had said government companies are thieves (babbi in Luganda), let’s rely on the private sector but we have seen here that some are not. So, I congratulate you for passing the test,” Museveni said.
According to Managing Director Sliver Mugisha, the assets under the Corporation management have increased from just UGX 650 Billion to UGX 4.1 Trillion in just the last 10 years, which is more than sevenfold.
The President was happy to learn that the Water body has extended clean water to 18 million Ugandans in 263 towns which never had Water.
“In 1979, I was part of the government that replaced Idi Amin and the house we stayed in around prince Charles drive. For the two years I was there we never had piped water in the house,” He recalled.
He added that now most of these places have water.
Mugisha highlighted several achievements and milestones attained by the NWSC over the years such as the expansion of the geographical and service coverage, improved service delivery, financial performance improvement, and infrastructure growth among others.
The Board Chairman, Eng Dr. Badru Kiggundu on behalf of the Board and Management of NWSC thanked the president for creating an enabling environment in which Government Institutions and the economy at large has blossomed.
He told the President that the staff have undergone several trainings related to Utility Management, Patriotism, Mind-set Change, and Pan-Africanism.
“This has been carried out jointly with Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and this is bearing fruits through better performance at the workplace,” Kiggundu said.
Sam Cheptoris, the Minister of Water and Environment highlighted the mandate and obligation of the Ministry which is to ensure that all Ugandans have access to safe water and sanitation.
“It is the strategic Agenda enshrined in the NDIII, NRM Manifesto, Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals, 50 years of continuous service delivery from NWSC which is one of the strategic service delivery arms of the Ministry is worthy celebrating,” Cheptoris said.
Among the other invited guest at the celebration were Chairpersons LCV from districts of Uganda, Top Government officials, Military officials, Commissioners of Government and other dignitaries.
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